Another Sluggish Start: UNC Rebounds in Second Half vs Charleston

In his post-game press conference, UNC head coach Hubert Davis called his team’s first half performance “soft.” Coach Davis used the word several times to start his press conference, and he had every right to do so. UNC was down 50-43 and the College of Charleston was getting nearly everything they wanted to the first half, before a second half surge propelled the Tar Heels to a 102-86 victory.

UNC’s interior defense was subpar and Armando Bacot had only attempted one shot in the first period. Whatever Coach Davis said to his team, worked, because the Tar Heels were a different squad after the break.

Armando Bacot led the way with 27 points in the 2nd half and Caleb Love turned it up a notch. Bacot finished with 28 points, while Caleb Love scored 25 points and led the Heels in rebounding with nine boards. Leaky Black was a steady presence, scoring 15 points and grabbing five rebounds. Seth Trimble brought energy off the bench with his on-ball defense. A key series was when Trimble forced an offensive foul then Bacot was able to get an easy dunk on the next possession. That series got the crowd going and gave UNC momentum. Charleston hung around for most of the game – showing resiliency, but UNC made a final wave that was too much for the Cougars.

UNC has looked sluggish to start the season and has some things they need to work out if they are going to be the team that many think the can be. Games like this and the one against UNC-Wilmington will be great teaching points for this year’s squad. They are going to be the hunted instead of the hunter – getting every team’s best shot. If UNC can play with the energy, physicality and cohesion they played with in the second half, they will have a chance to be the team that they want to be.

Game Notes:

• Carolina trailed by seven at the half but out-scored the Cougars by 23 points in the second half (59-36) to win by 16.

• The Tar Heels shot 71.4% from the floor in the second half and 60.3% for the game. This was the highest field goal percentage in a game under head coach Hubert Davis (previous high was 56.4% at Georgia Tech last season).

• This was the second-highest field goal percentage in any half in the Davis era. The only higher percentage was 74.2% in the first half vs. Florida State last season.

• Carolina is 208-2 all-time when it scores 100 points (2-0 under Davis).

• Carolina made 27 of 38 free throws. The 27 makes equal the season high a year ago (vs. Elon). The 38 attempts were one more than the high a year ago (37 vs. Baylor).

• Carolina was out-rebounded for the second time in as many games this season. Charleston out-rebounded the Tar Heels, 37-32. UNC was 0-3 a year ago when it was out-rebounded.

• Leaky Black was a career-best 6 for 6 from the floor and finished with 15 points, one off his career high. He was 4 for 4 from the floor three times in his career, including the overtime win at Louisville last season. 

• The Tar Heels blocked eight shots tonight and have 14 blocks in the first two games (Pete Nance led UNC with three vs. Charleston).

• Carolina out-scored the Cougars, 24-10, in points off turnovers. In the second half, UNC forced 11 turnovers that led to 17 points (the Cougars scored two points off UNC turnovers in the second half).

• The game featured nine lead changes and 10 ties.